Daniel James Maher, 88 of Joliet, passed away peacefully January 27, 2019 at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born March 27, 1930, son of James “Shammy” and Rose (Likovic) Maher. Dan was raised in Lockport, Illinois alongside his brother Joseph (Della) and sister Virginia (John) Feldmann (deceased).
Attended Fairmont grade school, Lockport Township High School and St. Ambrose University. Bronze Star recipient, US Army Korea conflict 1952-1954. Recognized for bravery, determination and patriotism in Honor Flight 2017.
CPA in Joliet for 37 years. Elected 2 terms, Will County Auditor 1992 – 2000. Dan was the devoted husband of Mary Catherine (Cahill) for 65 years.
Loving father of Teresa, Patrick (Donna), John (Dina), James (Ann), Kathleen (Thomas) Kenny, Christine (Patrick Mackey), David and great friend Laurita “Muff” Lukas. Loving grandfather of Michael, Annmarie (Anton) Pilipenko, Joseph (Mandy), Brian (Emily), Kevin (Lauren), Thomas (Lisa), Margaret (William), Nora, Hannah, Rosemary, Jack (Hannah), Paige (Brett), Brooke (Nick), Danielle, Daniel, Mac, Maxwell, Benjamin, Cameron and Gianna. Adoring great grandfather of Eliana and Adelyn.
Loving uncle to 22 nieces and nephews. The world has lost one of its best…a true gentleman, so kind and humble. Our Dad was not a braggart, so we would like to tell you about him.
Dan lived his entire life in the Joliet/Lockport community. He and his wife Mary walked in the footsteps of Jesus, beginning with their social justice efforts in college, answering the call from the Catholic Church. Their life example represented Christianity at its finest, fighting for peace and justice.
They faithfully belonged to the Christian Family Movement devoting their entire adult lives to serving those in need. Dan sat on the board of many wonderful organizations: Habitat for Humanity, Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, Crisis Line, Spanish Center, United Cerebral Palsy, Irish-American Society of County Will. Member of the Illinois and Will County Conference on Religion and Race in the 1960’s.
Served on the school boards of St. Patrick’s and Joliet Public grade school during the period of integration. Dan was a humble patriarch leading his family by example without seeking accolades. For him, it was not about sitting in the front row at church, or singing or praying the loudest.
He loved us unconditionally, saw the best in everyone and never spoke an unkind word. A life-long Democrat, Dan coordinated campaigns in Will County for John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy and many more. Received the 2014 Will County Democratic Party Lifetime Achievement Award.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to nurses at Presence St. Joseph’s Acute Care for the Elderly and Joliet Area Community Hospice. In Lieu of flowers, please be generous with donations to the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, Will County Habitat for Humanity, or The Irish-American Society of County Will. Visitation, Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 12 p.m. – 5pm, Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home in Joliet.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 4 from the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home at 10 a.m. to St. Patrick’s Church, 710 West Marion Street, Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Jim Lennon officiating. Inurnment with military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois at 12:30 p.m. We honor Dan in the words he used to bless us each night as we went to sleep “May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless and keep you”.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
